McKINNEY - The City of McKinney is moving ahead on the $35 million hotel and conference center development on the city-owned Gateway site. The city acquired the 90-acre track in 2008.

The city has signed agreements with The Beck Group and Champ Hospitality to build a full-service, 186-room hotel and 20,000-sf, full-service event space at the northeast corner of US 75 and the Sam Rayburn Tollway.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2013, with a cost estimated at between $35 and $38 million. The McKinney Community Development Corporation will retain ownership of the land and own the event center. The Beck Group and Champ Hospitality will own the hotel.